Method and apparatus for forming chains



- 1,521,011 O. J. DANSEREAU METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR FORMING CHAINS v Fil-edDes. 18, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Bi g- 1..

Dec. 1924- 1,521,011 1 O. J. DANSEREAU METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING CHAINS Filed Dec. 18, 1919 4 Sh ets-Sheet 2 0. DANSEREAU METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING CHAINS File d Dec. 18, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet E Dec. 30, 1 4. 1,521,011

0. J. DANSEREAU I METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING CHAINS Filed Der 1a, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 e all Patented Dec. 3@, 1924.

name sra'r 1,521,011 raran'r oFFICE.

OIiZER J. DANSEREAU, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A QORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING CHAINS.

Application filed December 18, 1919. Serial No. 345,827.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OMER J. DANsEREAU, a citizen of the United States residing at Claremont, in the county of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods and Ap aratus for Forming Chains, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming chains.

It has among its objects to provide an improved method of forming chains, and more especially links and blanks for the solid and sectional links, respectively, of a chain C0111- prising alternate solid and sectional links, my invention contemplating an improved method whereby it is made possible to produce links of exceptional strength quickly and at small expense, and constituting an improvement over the disclosure of my previous application Serial No. 844,907,filed December 15, 1919.

A further object of my invention is to provide improved means whereby a ring or a chain link blank may be machined expeditiously and cheaply, my invention especially contemplating the provision of improved automatic means whereby chain link blanks may be successively cut from bar stock, and improved cooperating means whereby the same may be thereafter formed into links. These and other objects and advantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 have shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, illustrating the steps in my im: proved method and also an improved and simple apparatus for carrying out the same.

In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is a detail, View showing the first two operations in my improved method, the tools being shown in the act of operating on the bar stock, and the latter being broken away to facilitate illustration.

Fig. 2 is .a generally similar detail sec tional view showing the next two operations in my improved method.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of an automatic apparatus adapted to carry out my improved method.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a similar view on the same line but looking in the opposite direction.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a link blank produced in accordance with my improved method and by my improved apparatus.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 77 of Fig. 6, showing the cross section of the blank. j.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a furnace used to heat the blanks. I

Fig. 9 isa diagrammatic view of a hammer or press used to flatten the blanks.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a complete link or link blank.

In carrying out certain steps in my improved method, the link blanks are cut successively from bar stock, preferably of cy-. lindrical cross section, the blanks in, the. course 'of the operations being formed into. rings of substantially cylindrical cross sec,- tion, and parts of successive blanks preferably being simultaneously operated upon during certain operations.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be observed that in Fig. 1 I have shown a blank in the process of formation from a round or bar of stock 1, the latter being shown in both Figs. 1 and 2 as being operated upon by a plurality of tools. l/Vhile the first two steps in my method of forming the blanks from the stock may be performed in sequence, I preferably perform the same simultaneously, thereby saving time and reducing the cost of manufacture. In a preferred form, the stock 1 is rotated in any suitable manner and a drill 2, preferably non-rotary, is inserted axially thereof in such a manner as to core out a central bore 3. At the same time a laterally disposed tool 4 having a straight cutting edge 5 and concave cutting edges 6 at each side thereof is advanced into the side of the stock to out a flat bottomed annular groove therein having curved sides corresponding to the reverse of the curvature of the edges 6 and to the curvature desired on the blank. This operation upon the stock is continued, thetools 2 and 4 being advanced as the stock is rotated, preferably until the tool 2 has penetrated the stock to a point slightly beyond the far side of the tool 4, and until the tool 4 has been sunk into the stock sufliciently to form corresponding curved surfaces on the opposite sides of two adjacent blanks. Then the tools 2 and 4 are withdrawn, preferably.

simultaneously, and, while the stock is still rotating, a tool 7 having a laterally disposed cutting end 8 provided with cutting edges 9 and 10 identical with the cutting edges 5 and 6, is inserted longitudinally in the bore cut by the tool 2, and then moved laterally to bring its cutting edges into engagement with the inner wall of the bar directly opposite the surfaces cutby the cutting edges 5 and 6 on the tool 4. This tool is moved laterally until it completes an internal cut or groove similar to the external groove cut by the tool 4; and then, after such a groove has been cut, the tool is moved in an opposite direction laterally and withdrawn longitudinally from the bore 3. In a preferred form, a tool 11 having a straight cutting edge is next applied to the straight bottom of the external annular groove substantially simultaneously with the lateral withdrawal of the tool 7 from the internal groove, and this tool 11 is fed laterally until the then existing web between the two sets of surfaces out by the tools 4 and 7 is removed, whereupon a completed blank will drop from the end of the rotating stock. When this occurs, it will be noted that the next blank is already partially formed on the end of the stock so that a repetition of the steps set forth above always results in cutting one-half of the next following blank before a completed blank is severed from the stock.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, it will be noted that the product resulting from my improved method is in the form of a ring a of substantially cylindrical cross section throughout its entire surface save for small annular flat surfaces 7) on its opposite sides, i. e., fiat surfaces so disposed that they in no way interfere with the use of the blank in a chain. Further, it will be noted that the blanks thus produced are of the shape desired to be provided as a result of the first step in my improved method covered by my previously mentioned application, and are well adapted to be flattened into solid links as disclosed in said application, or, after flattening, to be used both as solid links and as blanks for sectional links in the manner described and claimed by one Morris P. Holmes.

While my improved method may be carried out manually, the same is preferably performed by an improved apparatus constructed and arranged automatically to perform the steps of the same in such a manner as materially to reduce the cost of manufacture. This machine is shown in Figs. 3 to 5 of the drawing, and in general comprises an automatic machine 12 of any well known construction, herein of the general type shown in the patent to Frank L. Cone, 1,271,540, granted July 9, 1918. As shown, this machine is adapted to operate simultaneously on four bars 1, the same preferably being provided with the usual well known rotating and feeding head adapted constantly to rotate the bars about their axes and intermittently to rotate all the bars bodily about a central axis so that two may be partially formed while the other two are finished and cut off, the head also having provision for feeding the bars longitudinally after each cutting off operation. As such a head is well known, it is believed sufficient to identify the same as the rotary head 13 and state that this head is operated by a shaft 14, in turn driven from a motor 15, through usual connections, not shown. In considering the operation of the apparatus, we will first refer to Figs. 4 and As shown in Fig. 5, tools 2 are disposed coaxially with two diagonally opposite bars of stock, and these tools 2 are in turn carried upon carriages 16 slidable on the machine frame and operated through linkages l7 and driving connections (not shown) from a cam 18, likewise driven by the motor, in such a manner as to cause the two tools 2- to be moved in and out of the work at the desired times, as mentioned above. As shown in Fig. 4, disposed laterally of the two bars mentioned and acting upon the sides of the same, are tools 4, carried upon laterally moving carriages 19, 20, operatively connected through cam levers 2 1, 22, and through mechanism (not shown) with a cam 23, also driven by the motor. As shown, two tools 7 and two tools 11 also operate upon each of the other two diagonally located bars of stock, illustrated in Fig. 4:, at the same time that the two sets of tools 2 and 4.: operate upon the two first mentioned bars. Of these tools, each of the tools 7 is carried on one of the carriages 16. As shown, each tool 7 is also adjustably carried upon a suitable carriage 24. independently movable laterally relative to the carriage 16 through a link connection 25 operatively connected to the slide 19 and to the cam 23 through mechanism (not shown) in such a manner as to give to the tools 7 their desired longitudinal and transverse movements when the two members 22 and 24. are operated successively. As shown, the two tools 11 which operate on the same bars, soon as the tools 7 commeuce to be withdrawn from contact therewith, are in turn moved by the same mechanism heretofore described as operating the tools 4;, the tools 11 likewise being carried by the slide 19. As a result of my improved construction, it will be observed that the tools 2 and a are simultaneously advanced to their work upon two bars of stock, and that simultaneously two tools 7 are advanced into position in the axial bores in the other bars, the two tools '11 likewise being moved into engagement with the latter bars to commence their work thereon before the tools 2 are withdrawn from the first two bars. When this occurs, all of the tools are so controlled by their cams 18 and 23 as to be clear of the stock, and the rotating head 13 is accordingly free tomove around and bring the two half-out bars from the tools 2 and 4 into position to be completed and cut ofl by the two sets of tools 7 and 11, new lengths of bar being simultaneously fed forward to be acted upon by the tools 2 and 4. Obviously, this mechanism will continue to operate consecutively and entirely automatically to shape and cut off successive rings from each of the four bars.

After the blanks have been shaped into ring form, in accordance with the above steps of my improved method, either manually or with my improved apparatus, the same are preferably then heated in a furnace 26, shown in Fig. 8, and then flattened in suitable dies 27 in a hammer or press 28, shown in Fig. 9, in such a manner as to shape them into the form shown in Fig. 10, wherein it will be noted that the blank is of the conventional link form, ready to be used as a solid link in a sectional type chain, or to be machined into sectional links and used with the solid links mentioned in making up such a chain.

As a result of my improved method, it will be observed that chain link blanks may be cut fro-m solid stock very rapidly, the several operations being performed in such a manner and in such sequence as to minimize the time required for the completion of the process, and accordingly to reduce the cost of manufacture proportionately. It will also be evident that the links thus produced are capable of being more cheaply manufactured than forged links, and are at the same time stronger than welded links. Through the use of my improved apparatus, it will also be evident that my improved method may be carried out very expeditiously and cheaply, with little or no necessity for attention on the part of an operator, a single operator being able to care for three or more machines the output of each of which approximates three blanks per minute.

In carrying out my improvement, it will of course be evident that the same may be modified in practice. For example, in forming the rings, instead of forming a double internal groove before cutting off, as by utilizing the longitudinally and laterally movable double internal grooving tool 7,

. this operation may be omitted and that surface on the ring which is diagonally opposite the surface cut by the tool l, may be removed before cutting off, this operation being substituted for the other and a longitudinally movable tool being used. In using such a modified method, in my improved apparatus it will of course be evident that the separate, transversely movable carriage or slide now provided therein for the tool 7 will be unnecessary, the longitudinally mowable tool then being carried directly on the longitudinally movable slide. However, it will then be necessary to round the remaining surface of the ring, i. e., the surface left by the cutting off tool, in a separate operation after the ring has been cut off from the bar, and such an additional operation is not ordinarily desirable. For this reason, the method and apparatus for forming the ring shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is to be preferred, but the modified method and apparatusmentioned may conceivably be used under certain circumstances for forming the rings, and it is evident that with the exception 0 the additional operation required, the same could be incorporated in my improved apparatus without departing from its spirit.

It will accordingly be understood that while I have in this application specifically described one form of my improved method and one form of my improved apparatus capable of carrying out the same, these embodiments have been used for purposes of illustration and that the invention is not limited thereto and may be modified and embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and by Letters Patent is: 1

1. The method of forming rings from bar stock, which consists in boring the stock axially, and operating on the stock exteriorly and also within said bore by tools each of which simultaneously forms portions of two rings.

2. The method of forming rings from bar stock, which consists in shaping the periphery of the ring, boring the stock axially, shaping the interior of the ring, and cutting off the ring.

desire to secure 3. The method of forming rings from barv stock, which consists in the following operations, forming the internal and external lateral surfaces of one side of a ring, boring the stock axially, and forming the opposite internal and external lateral surfaces of the ring. v

4. The method of forming rings which have curved internal and external surfaces from bar stock, which consists in forming completely the side of the ring towards the end of the stock, boring the stock axially, forming the curved portions of the side of the ring adjacent the body of the stock, and cutting off the ring.

5. The method of forming rings from bar stock which consists in, grooving the outside of the same to form simultaneously adjacent surfaces on adjacent rings, simultaneously axially boring the stock, then reversely grooving the bore, and then cutting off the ring.

6. The method of forming rings from bar stock which consists in, rotatin the stock, grooving the side of the. same to rorm simultaneously adjacent surfaces of two adjacent rings, boring the stock axially, reversely grooving the bore, and cut g off the ring.

7. The method of forming rings from bar stock which consists in, rotating the stock, grooving the outside thereof to shape simultaneously parts of adjacent rings, boring the stock axially While it is being grooved, then internally groovin the bore reverseiy, and cutting 0% the 8. The method of forming rings from bar stock ,Whici consists in, rotatin the stock, grooving the outside thereof to snape simultaneously parts of adjacent I'lFXS, norr g stock axially While it is being grooved, then. internally grooving the bore reversely, and cutting off the ring by removing the bottom of said external groove.

9. The method of forming rings fr in bar stock which consists in, axially boring the stock, externally and internally grooving the same to form longitudinally spaced adjacen; internal and external surit'aces on adjacent rings, and removing the stock between said spaced surfaces.

10. In combination, in a ring forming mechanism, stock rotating means, means for boring and laterally grooving the same ternally, and; automatic means for laterally grooving the same internally and cutting off the ring.

11. In combination, in a ring forming mechanism, stock rotating means, external grooving means operative to simultaneously form adjacent surfaces on adjacent rings, stock boring means, internal corresponding grooving means, and means for cutting 01f the ring upon completion of said internal groove.

12. In combination, in a ring forming mechanism, stock rotating means, means for simultaneously axially boring the stock and laterally grooving the exterior of the same, and automatic means for thereafter internally grooving the stock and cutting off the completed ring.

13. In combination, in a ring forming mechanism, stock rotating means, means for simultaneously axially boring the stool: and laterally grooving the exterior of the same, and automatic means for thereafter further shaping the stock and cutting off the completed ring.

14. In combination, in a ring forming mechanism, stock rotating means, means for simultaneously axially boring and externally grooving the stock, automatic means for thereafter internally grooving the same, and automatic cutting off means actuated upon completion of said internal groove.

15. In combination, in a. ring forming mechanism, stock rotating means, means for simultaneously axially boring and externally grooving the stock, automatic means for thereafter internally grooving the L -L' V and automatic cutting on upon con'ipletion of l inter al groove a n acting upon. the bottom 0" said exter:

combination, in ring forming no, stock rotating means, axial borsuccessively operating external inter al lateral grooving means, and ii? all means for thereafter cutting out bottom of said external groove. 18. lin combination, in a ring forming mechanism, stock boring and externally groovin means, internally shaping and cutng oil means, and means for automaticall "er-ring the stock from said first means I second means.

combination, in a ring forming mechanism, stock boring and externally grooving means, internally grooving and cutting off means, and means for automatically transferring the stock from said second means to said first means upon the completion of the cutting off operation.

20. In combination, in a ring forming mechanism, stock boring and externally grooving means, internally shaping and cutting oil means, and stool: rotating means automatically operable to transfer rotating stoclrfrom said first means to said second means.

21. In combination, in a ring forming mechanism, stock boring and externally grooving means, internally grooving and cutting off means, and stock rotating means automatically operable to transfer rotating stock from said second means to said first means upon completion of said cutting off operation.

22. In combination, in a ring forming mechanism, a plurality of axial boring and externally grooving means, plurality of internally sliapin and cutting oil means, and means for automatically transferring stock from each of said first mentioned means to each of said last mentioned means.

23. .ln combination, in a ring forming mechanism, plurality of axial boring and externally grooving means, a plurality of internally saaping and cutting of? means, and neans for automatically transferring stock from each. of said second mentioned means to each of said first mentioned means upon completion of the cutting ofl operation.

24-. In combination, in a ring forming mechanism, an axial boring tool, an exter nal grooving tool, an internal shaping tool,

a cutting off tool, and means for simultaneously feeding said first two tools into the work and withdrawing the same and thereafter successively feeding said third and fourth tools into the work.

25. In combination, in a ring forming mechanism, an axial boring tool, an external grooving tool, an internal grooving tool, a cutting off tool, and means for simultaneously feeding said first two tools into the work and withdrawing the same and thereafter successively feeding said third and fourth tools into the work.

26. In combination, in a ring forming mechanism, an axial boring tool, an external grooving tool, an internal grooving tool, a cutting off tool, and means for simultaneously feeding said first two tools into the work and withdrawing the same and thereafter successively feeding and retracting said third tool and then feeding said fourth tool into the work.

27. In combination, in a ring forming mechanism, a plurality of ring forming tools and a cutting off tool, means for successively supplying the same to the work, and means for successively delivering partially finished worl: from said forming tools to said cutting off tool after the completion of the forming operation.

28. In combination, in a ring forming mechanism, a plurality of sets of boring and externally grooving tools, a plurality of sets of cooperating shaping and cutting off tools, said sets of tools being arranged alternately about a longitudinal axis, and stock rotating means rotatable about said axis for transferring stock from said first mentioned sets of tools to. said second mentioned sets of tools.

29. In combination, in a ring forming mechanism, a plurality of sets of boring and externally grooving tools, a plurality of sets of internally grooving and cutting off tools, said sets of tools being arranged alternately about a longitudinal axis, and stock rotating means rotatable about said axis for transferring stock from said second mentioned sets of tools to said first mentioned sets of tools upon completion of the cutting off operation.

30. In combination, in a ring forming mechanism, a plurality of sets of boring and externally grooving tools, a plurality of sets of internally grooving and cutting off tools,

said sets of tools being arranged alternately about a longitudinal axis, and stock feeding and rotating means rotatable about said axis for transferring stock from said first mentioned setsof tools to said second mentioned sets of tools upon completion of the boring and externally grooving operation, and feeding new stock to said first mentioned sets of tools.

31. Mechanism operative to produce rings of substantially cylindrical cross section comprising ring forming tools including a cutting off tool, and automatic means for successively presenting the same in operative relation.

32. Mechanism operative to produce rings 7 of substantially cylindrical cross section comprising a plurality tools including cutting off tools, and automatic means for simultaneously successively presenting the tools in each series in operative relation. a

83. Mechanism for forming links from bar stock operative to produce rings of substantially cylindrical cross section comprising ring forming tools including a cutting off tool, and automatic means for successively presenting the same in operative relation and rotating the stock.

34.. Mechanism for forming links from bar stock operative to produce rings of substantially cylindrical cross section comprising ring forming tools, a cutting 0E tool, and automatic means for successively presenting the same in operative relation including means for causing the stock to rotate and have an orbital movement.

35. Mechanism operative to produce rings of substantially cylindrical cross section comprising series of sets of tools, series of stock to be worked upon, and means for successively presenting said stock in operative relation to the tools including means for rotating the stock and moving the same in an orbital path.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

OMER J. DANSERE-AU.

of series of ring forming 

